An Old Fashioned Sort of Day

Such gadgets they give you on iphoto. Although these photos

 were taken yesterday and the day before how easy it is to give

 them that retro look. The chair outside the clairvoyant's

 shop certainly looks as if its better days are over .

23rd Street.

I really hate clowns. I don't find them funny at all.

I didn't ask this young man why he had dressed himself

up like one on a sunny Tuesday morning though he was 

quite happy to have his photo taken.

9th Avenue and 24th Street.

This dapper dude --  hat, crease in pants and  shiny vest --

makes the rest of us look pretty sloppy.

Northport on Long Island has a distinctly retro feel to it.

The Sweetshop still makes its own ice cream.

 

Vintage neon next door to the Sweetshop.

Windows

Windows, doors, gates, archways, the things inbetween

 other things, exert a fascination that borders on natural 

law - like watching the flow of water, the lick of flames

 or even a lava-lamp for heaven's sake. Anyway, a lovely

 tatty window box at an elegant window with interior shutters.

 Geraniums are the very devil; they need constant attention.

  

So rare to see windows flung wide in the city - a breath of fresh air.

Is this green truck succeeding in being retro and almost 

(visually) socially acceptable? Anyway, easy on the eye.

Such shadows, white on white.

Essentially the same view. Day and night.

Jim Lewicki's Christmas/Winter Solstice

In the 1990's we lived in a wonderful house on Long Island that had been purpose built by the artist and illustrator Jim Lewicki and his wife Lillian. 

Robert worked in the huge groundfloor studio where, when the wind was  exactly right, echoes of Jim's pipe smoke permeated the air. 

We have stayed friends with Lil --who is now in her nineties -- and their daughter Lisa Lewicki Hermanson.

For me, the best things of all were the two streams in the garden which backed onto the woods. So many hours spent tramping through them with the dog in all seasons.

Recently Lisa and her husband John have been looking through the archives and restoring some of her dad's images many of which were produced in the 1940's, 50's and 60's by the American Artists Group.

Here St. Nicholas arrives at New Amsterdam amidst much 16th century merriment.

Very much of its period, this last image reminds me of my youth.

For more information about the artist and the cards' availability contact Lisa by e-mail.

Lisa_hermanson@verizon.net

Shadow Shot Sunday/Echoes

In Tribeca some berries were catching the light under blue scaffolding.

This photo seems to echo Summer Kitchen Interiors' one.

Yesterday afternoon we walked up to 39th Street since I wanted to show R. the fabric district Frances had told me about. Big mistake as we passed right in front of Macy's which was a mega-mob scene. 

Beckenstein's on 39th Street has a wonderfully retro window. The car reflections reminds me of Sweet Repose's car shadow today.

There is no actual shadow in this one -- just the ghostly retro shadow of a shop that once was.

On 39th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue, there is a heaven of glorious fabrics.

Many of the shopkeepers are Indian. We are thinking of the people of Mumbai.

I must thank Heyharriet as ever for hosting ShadowshotSunday and making the super collages.

Go to her site for the ever expanding and enthusiastic roll of Shadow Shotters.

This week I'd really like to thank her for  her very kind plug for my little book.

Bloggers rule!

An Almost Retro Friday

For some reason, when I got home yesterday and looked at my photos I discovered a sort of melancholy yellowish-gray tinge to them.
Here a building on 18th Street and 7th Avenue that was probably built in the 30's of the last century.



A nice bulky truck - the very apotheosis of truckness.



It is always nice to have lunch here.
The Union Square Cafe gets it exactly right.
It's very understated.



When I next go there, I will wear this dress from Anthropologie in these very weird colors.



For some reason Tudor-revival small paned windows make me feel slightly sad. They are redolent of teashops in the 1950's.
A musty odor of violets.

Black Goes With Everything

Bumble and Bumble, where I have my hair cut, has stunning views.
Here looking north towards the Chelsea Market etc.
The reflected lights look like flying saucers.



The new Apple Store on 14th Street is housed in a 'moderne' 1920's building.
Very retro minimalist chic. But friendly 'geniuses' to help with computer dilemmas.
In my case, needing a new battery after three years - the old one had gone twice beyond its normal life.



A great improvement in this neighborhood over the past ten years.
Now it is uber something or other.



Going upstairs at the 41st Street Port Authority bus terminal is quite an experience.
You seem to go on for ever - up and up.
Riding the buses to upstate New York is a good alternative to the trains - and pretty cheap.



More Bumble and Bumble views.